Melbourne: A top Australian police official has sought amendment to the country's laws on burqa, helmets and other types of veils which do not allow security personnel to ask people wearing full face coverings to remove them.

Western Australian Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said the state laws covering burqas, motorcycle helmets and other face coverings need to be changed, accordingto a report.

Under current legislation police are unable to ask people wearing full face coverings to remove them.

"You ought to be able to satisfy yourself that the person driving the car, or a motorcycle, is the person on the driver's licence," he said.

O'Callaghan has told the West Australian Police Union conference that he plans to speak to Police Minister Rob Johnson about changing the Traffic Act.

"I am going to push for that legislation that will include any sort of face cover," he added.